These ultra-soft spiced pumpkin donuts are perfect with your morning coffee or tea. Fragrant, simple, and utterly delicious, these baked (not fried) treats are a cozy fall favorite—give them a try today!
I admit I have a morning sweet tooth—maybe you do too. I often reach for fruit or cinnamon oatmeal, but sometimes all I can imagine is a stack of warm, fluffy donuts. Visualizing them helps, and when they’re these pumpkin donuts, it’s worth the daydream.
Loaded with pumpkin and warm fall spices, these donuts bake up incredibly soft and tender. They make your kitchen smell of cinnamon and pumpkin spice, but even better than candles: real, freshly baked donuts ready to be dunked in a silky cream cheese glaze.
A quick cream cheese glaze elevates these donuts even further. Softened cream cheese mixed with light corn syrup and a touch of vanilla creates a smooth glaze that’s perfect for dipping. It also works wonderfully on cinnamon rolls, muffins, or any baked treats you want to dress up.
After dipping, let the glaze set before serving. Finish with sprinkles, edible pearls, or any decoration you prefer—these little touches make the donuts feel festive and special.
^ That photo captures a real clumsy moment with coffee—an accidental spill, not a staged shot. A little imperfection makes the baking memory more authentic and relatable.
I love baking these kinds of treats on cool autumn mornings and gifting them to friends and family. The scent of pumpkin and cinnamon filling the house is comforting, and sharing a plate of warm donuts is a simple, heartfelt way to brighten someone’s day.
Serve these donuts with a hot tea or coffee for a warm, autumn-flavored start to the day. If you try the recipe, I’d love to hear how they turned out!
Soft Pumpkin Donuts with Cream Cheese Glaze
Ingredients
For the donuts:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- half-package 18-ounce package spice cake mix
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup Argo® Corn Starch
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 Tablespoons Mazola® Corn Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands® Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 large egg
For the glaze:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a standard 6-cup donut pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
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In a large bowl, beat all donut ingredients with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined, about 2 minutes. Spoon or pipe batter into the prepared donut cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
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Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until donuts spring back when lightly touched. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely before glazing.
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For the glaze, beat the softened cream cheese, corn syrup, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth. If you prefer a thinner glaze, add milk or orange juice in 1/2-teaspoon increments until you reach the desired consistency.
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Dip the tops of cooled donuts into the glaze, then place on a wire rack to set.
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Serve and enjoy!
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